Gujarat Titans and Lucknow SuperGiants would make their debut as the two sides clashed in the 4th game of the Indian Premier League 2022. Both sides are packed with promising talent and the players would be looking to script magic in their very first game. Most of these players haven’t played with each other in the past and it will be interesting to see how they gel together.
Gujarat Titans on their part have a very strong bowling attack. They have three bowlers who can win games singlehandedly and they would take confidence from that. Lucknow Super Giants aren’t pushovers either and have good firepower in the batting department. There would be nerves on both camps, and it remains to be seen which of the sides can deliver better on the field.
TEAMS PREVIEW
GUJARAT TITANS PREVIEW
It will be a debut game for the Titans and Hardik Pandya finds himself in a role as skipper. The flamboyant Indian all-rounder would look to get a perfect start in the tournament for his franchise and he has several big names on his side. Most of these players haven’t played together in the past and it will be interesting to see how they perform. Their bowling attack looks very strong, and Pandya would like his batsmen to live up to the challenge in this game and win it.
Young Shubman Gill must do well for the team as he opens the innings with Matthew Wade who brings a lot of experience to the table. Abhinav Manohar would have an important role at No. 3 and look to build partnerships with Vijay Shankar and David Miller who are experienced players. Pandya and Rahul Tewatia are known for their fireworks and the side would like to see big hits from them toward the end.
Their bowling attack looks formidable, and the side would need early wickets from Mohammad Shami and Lockie Ferguson as the Super Giants have big hitters of the ball at the top. In Rashid Khan, they have the magician in the squad, and he would have a lot riding on his shoulders. R Sai Kishore, Shankar, and Pandya add to the balance of this attack.
Top Batsman – Shubman Gill
Top Bowler – Rashid Khan
GUJARAT TITANS PREDICTED PLAYING XI:
Hardik Pandya (c), Shubman Gill, Matthew Wade (wk), Vijay Shankar, David Miller, Abhinav Manohar, Rahul Tewatia, R Sai Kishore, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, Lockie Ferguson
LUCKNOW SUPERGIANTS PREVIEW
KL Rahul has been among the best performers in the IPL over the last few years but hasn’t excelled in the leadership test. This would be the challenge for him with the Lucknow SuperGiants. The side would be missing out on Marcus Stoinis and Jason Holder in the initial games and this hurts the side’s balance. However, they have a good bunch of players, and the side would expect a strong show from them.
Batting looks formidable with Quinton de Kock and Rahul opening the batting. They would need to provide an electrifying start to the side. Manish Pandey is the perfect man to have at No. 3 and he would have to build partnerships with Deepak Hooda and Evin Lewis. Krunal Pandya and Krishnappa Gowtham need to do the heavy lifting towards the end of the innings.
Bowling looks like a weak area for the team right now with Stoinis and Holder missing. Avesh Khan and Andrew Tye must do early damage for the side to be in a competitive position in this game. Dushmantha Chameera and Krunal Pandya shall enjoy the conditions here and make the most use of them. Krishnappa Gowtham and Ravi Bishnoi have to deliver on the expectations.
Top Batsman – KL Rahul
Top Bowler – Krunal Pandya
LUCKNOW SUPERGIANTS PREDICTED PLAYING XI:
KL Rahul (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Manish Pandey, Deepak Hooda, Evin Lewis, Krunal Pandya, Dushmantha Chameera, Krishnappa Gowtham, Ravi Bishnoi, Andrew Tye, Avesh Khan
MATCH DETAILS:
Match: Gujarat Titans vs Lucknow SuperGiants, Match 4
Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Date & Time: 28th March 2022, 7:30 PM
PITCH REPORT
As we saw in the opening match of the tournament, the pitch at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is not the easiest for batting. The batters will have to take their time and can then go after the bowling once they are set. Bowling first would be the better option.
TOSS PREDICTION
Win the toss and bowl first is usually the trend in the night games at the Wankhede Stadium. That trend is expected to continue in this game too.
WEATHER CONDITIONS
There would be clear skies over Mumbai on March 28 and we expect to see great conditions for batting. Batsmen would be able to play on the rise and play their strokes freely. The side batting first in the game shall aim at a total above 170 runs to feel safe on the wicket.
PROBABLE TOP PERFORMERS
PROBABLE BEST BATTER OF THE MATCH: KL RAHUL
KL Rahul boasts of superb numbers with the bat in IPL cricket. The right-handed batter has amassed 3273 runs in his IPL career and has scored them at a superb average of 47.43, and a strike rate of above 135. If Rahul can find form, then the Lucknow side can stamp their authority in the contest.
PROBABLE BEST BOWLER OF THE MATCH: RASHID KHAN
Rashid Khan will qualify as one of the best spinners in T20 cricket. The Afghanistan cricketer has a stellar record in the IPL. Khan has prized out 93 batters in his career and has scalped his wickets at a strike rate of 19.40. Khan’s ability to keep the run rate under control and his ability to pick up wickets and dent the opposition makes him a match-winner.
GT VS LSG
WINNING PREDICTION
Lucknow SuperGiants have a very strong batting line-up but the side struggles with the bowling attack. There is a lot of inexperience in their attack and they would find it challenging against the Gujarat Titans. The Titans have a very good bowling attack and two of the best finishers in the tournament. This would put the side slightly ahead of the Super Giants in this game.
Gujarat Titans to win.